Greenwash + Climate change | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/greenwash+climate-change
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Edinburgh airport's tree project is trampled by its carbon elephants | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/apr/01/edinburgh-airport-trees-carbon-emissions
Edinburgh airport funding children to plant 500 trees is vastly overshadowed by its expansion and huge carbon emissions<p>So that's all right then. After almost tripling the number of passengers using its runway over the past 15 years, one of Britain's fastest growing airports has given itself a green makeover. Edinburgh airport is, according to a story on the BBC website last week, to shell out so school children can plant 500 trees in a wood in Perthshire. "<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8585611.stm" title="">Airport in global warming project</a>" is the priceless headline.</p><p>"It's a great example of how we can all play a part, however small, in safeguarding the natural environment," said the airport's commercial director Neil Anderson. "However small" is, I think, the operative phrase here.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/apr/01/edinburgh-airport-trees-carbon-emissions">Continue reading...</a>Corporate social responsibilityEnvironmentBusinessTravel and transportEthical and green livingAir transportAirline industryClimate changeEnergy efficiencyEnergyGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon footprintsThu, 01 Apr 2010 11:06:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/apr/01/edinburgh-airport-trees-carbon-emissionsPhotograph: David Cheskin/PAEdinburgh airport may be paying for 500 trees planted by children, but this is nothing compared to its massive carbon emissions, expansion, and failure to provide a rail link. Photograph: David Cheskin/PAPhotograph: David Cheskin/PAEdinburgh airport may be paying for 500 trees planted by children, but this is nothing compared to its massive carbon emissions, expansion, and failure to provide a rail link. Photograph: David Cheskin/PAFred Pearce2010-04-01T11:06:24ZAirbus gets a crafty upgrade by flying the flag for biodiversity | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/mar/18/un-year-of-biodiversity-airbus
A380 airliner to feature official logo for UN, despite aviation being a major source of emissions that threaten biodiversity<p>Who do you think might just have been granted the right to display the official logo of the <a href="http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/" title="">United Nations International Year of Biodiversity</a>? A conservation body, perhaps. Or a new brand of organic food?</p><p>Well, no. It's an aircraft manufacturer, actually. The world's largest aircraft manufacturer: Airbus Industries. The European company that is <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60B0PW20100112" title="">doing more than anyone else</a>, Boeing included, to increase the number of flights we take, and thus the airline industry's contribution to climate change.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/mar/18/un-year-of-biodiversity-airbus">Continue reading...</a>United NationsEnvironmentWorld newsScienceBiodiversityClimate changeBusinessAirline industryAirbusThu, 18 Mar 2010 14:51:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/mar/18/un-year-of-biodiversity-airbusPhotograph: H. GOUSSE/APIn this hand out image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over south-western France Photograph: H. GOUSSE/APPhotograph: H. GOUSSE/APIn this hand out image provided by Airbus, the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, takes its maiden flight over south-western France Photograph: H. GOUSSE/APFred Pearce2010-03-18T14:51:16ZDrax power plant is no greener than the coal it burns | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/25/greenwash-drax-power-plant
Drax has shelved its biofuel plans, yet still boasts publicly about 'undertaking the largest biomass co-firing project in the world'<p>Drax is Britain's biggest power station. In fact, it is western Europe's biggest. It produces 7% of the country's electricity. By burning coal. For years, it has promised to replace some of that coal with locally grown biomass. But last week, its <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jul/10/dorothy-thompson-interview" title="">chief executive, Dorothy Thompson</a>, appeared to tear up those plans.</p><p>If you travel north on the train from London towards York, you will have seen <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/datablog/2009/nov/16/carbon-disclosure-project-ftse350" title="">Drax</a>. It is one of three gigantic power stations near the River Trent, in an area of lowland often called Megawatt Valley. Drax is the one with 12 cooling towers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/25/greenwash-drax-power-plant">Continue reading...</a>Corporate social responsibilityClimate changeCoalGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon offsettingBiofuelsEnergyEnvironmentEnergy industryDraxBusinessThu, 25 Feb 2010 05:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/feb/25/greenwash-drax-power-plantPhotograph: John Giles/PADrax power station near Selby, in Megawatt Valley. Photograph: John Giles/PAPhotograph: John Giles/PADrax power station near Selby, in Megawatt Valley. Photograph: John Giles/PAFred Pearce2010-02-25T05:00:01ZShell's promise of a bright future turns out to be yet another false dawn | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/dec/17/shell-copenhagen-climate-summit
Oil company has been splashing out on ads about its shallow commitment to low-carbon technologies during Copenhagen<br /><p>Editors must love Shell. Almost whatever I have read about climate change and the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/copenhagen" title="UN talks in Copenhagen">UN talks in Copenhagen</a> in recent weeks, it has been flanked by the familiar Shell logo somewhere in the background.</p><p>From geeky titles like <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/" title="New Scientist">New Scientist</a> to politico mags such as <a href="http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/copenhagen-climate-special/" title="Prospect">Prospect</a> and <a href="http://www.newstatesman.com/" title="New Statesman">New Statesman</a>; and newspapers like the Guardian, the world's second largest corporation has been splashing out – filling screens and newsprint with adverts and underwriting special supplements. Shell also sponsored a major research project by the Economist Intelligence Unit, called <a href="http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/aboutshell/media_centre/news_and_media_releases/2009/news/economist_sustainability_summit.html" title="Countdown to Copenhagen">Countdown to Copenhagen</a>, launched early this year at a Shell-sponsored "sustainability summit".</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/dec/17/shell-copenhagen-climate-summit">Continue reading...</a>Royal Dutch ShellCorporate social responsibilityEnvironmentBusinessOilOilOil and gas companiesCopenhagen climate change conference 2009Climate changeWorld newsGlobal climate talksThu, 17 Dec 2009 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/dec/17/shell-copenhagen-climate-summitPhotograph: James Boardman/Public DomainShell drip-feeds its environmental 'credentials' to the public. Photograph: James BoardmanPhotograph: James Boardman/Public DomainShell drip-feeds its environmental 'credentials' to the public. Photograph: James BoardmanFred Pearce2009-12-17T07:00:02ZAustralia's Copenhagen climate strategy is smoke and mirrors | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/26/australia-emissions-copenhagen-greenwash-rudd
Australian PM Kevin Rudd talks a good climate game, offering 25% emissions cuts. But do the numbers add up?<p>This may seem churlish in the week when the Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, is doing a deal with the opposition to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/24/australia-climate-reform-deal" title="get climate change legislation through the Senate">get climate change legislation through the Senate</a>. After all, that puts him one step ahead of Barack Obama.</p><p>But it has to be said: Australia has had a ridiculously easy ride on climate change so far. And, whatever Rudd's domestic green credentials, he seems intent on continuing as before. For when Rudd shows up in Copenhagen in a couple of weeks, he will bring a negotiating position almost certain to ensure that, while others make cuts, Australia's emissions remain above 1990 levels until at least 2020.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/26/australia-emissions-copenhagen-greenwash-rudd">Continue reading...</a>Corporate social responsibilityEnvironmentBusinessAustralia newsClimate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsDeforestationCopenhagen climate change conference 2009Global climate talksAsia PacificKevin RuddAustralian politicsThu, 26 Nov 2009 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/26/australia-emissions-copenhagen-greenwash-ruddPhotograph: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesLarge excavators are dwarfed by the face of the Loy Yang opencut coal mine in the Latrobe valley, Australia. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesLarge excavators are dwarfed by the face of the Loy Yang opencut coal mine in the Latrobe valley, Australia. Photograph: AFP/Getty ImagesFred Pearce2009-11-26T07:00:02ZNew Zealand was a friend to Middle Earth, but it's no friend of the earth | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/12/new-zealand-greenwash
<strong> </strong>Lord of the Rings country trades on its natural beauty, but emissions have risen 22% since it signed up to Kyoto<p>As the world prepares for the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/copenhagen" title="Copenhagen climate negotiations">Copenhagen climate negotiations</a> next month, it is worth checking out the greenwash that has followed the promises made 12 years ago when the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/kyoto-protocol" title="Kyoto protocol">Kyoto protocol</a> was signed.</p><p>A surprising number of countries have succeeded in raising their emissions from 1990 levels despite signing up to reduce them. They include a bundle of countries in the European Union, which collectively agreed to let some nations increase their emissions while others (mainly Britain and Germany) cut theirs. Step forward Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Greece — all with <a href="http://unfccc.int/ghg_data/ghg_data_unfccc/items/4146.php" title="emissions up by more than a quarter">emissions up by more than a quarter</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/12/new-zealand-greenwash">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentNew ZealandGreenhouse gas emissionsKyoto protocolCopenhagen climate change conference 2009Climate changeTravelGlobal climate talksAsia PacificThu, 12 Nov 2009 10:28:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/nov/12/new-zealand-greenwashPhotograph: José Fuste Raga/zefa/CorbisMilford Sound in New Zealand. Photograph: José Fuste Raga/zefa/CorbisPhotograph: José Fuste Raga/zefa/CorbisMilford Sound in New Zealand. Photograph: José Fuste Raga/zefa/CorbisFred Pearce2009-11-12T10:28:53ZGreenwash: Gordon Brown's green spin on carbon capture | Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/05/carbon-capture
UK ministers talk up the carbon capture research programme as if it were already an available technology<p>Gordon Brown is keen to take the high ground on climate change, in the run-up to the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/copenhagen" title="Copenhagen climate conference">Copenhagen climate conference</a>. Witness his <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/cif-green/2009/oct/30/europe-climate-aid" title="eagerness to claim success">eagerness to claim success</a> when European heads of state discussed setting up a climate fund for developing countries last week.</p><p>But is it greenwash? Or, since we are now in the world of politics, is it green spin?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/05/carbon-capture">Continue reading...</a>Corporate social responsibilityEnvironmentBusinessCarbon capture and storage (CCS)EnergyTechnologyClimate changeCoalFossil fuelsGreenhouse gas emissionsPoliticsGordon BrownThu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/nov/05/carbon-capturePhotograph: David Sillitoe/GuardianE.on's coal-fired Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire. Photograph: David Sillitoe/GuardianPhotograph: David Sillitoe/GuardianE.on's coal-fired Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire. Photograph: David Sillitoe/GuardianFred Pearce2009-11-05T07:00:02ZVirgin Money's climate change Isa gets Branson in a picklehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/oct/15/greenwash-virgin-money-climate-change-isa
Virgin's 'lighter footprint' promise is alarmingly elastic and doesn't exclude oil firms, arms manufacturers or tobacco companies<p>Arms manufacturers, tobacco companies, mining giants and oil companies. These are not the kind of companies where you would expect an ethically minded saving operation to be investing the hard-earned cash of an ethically minded saver. And yet Toby Webb says that is exactly where his money ended up when he entrusted it to the Virgin Money climate change Isa.</p><p>Toby is no naive green investor. He is the founder of a company called the <a href="http://www.ethicalcorp.com/" title="Ethical Corporation">Ethical Corporation</a> that runs conferences and a magazine that explores how companies are greening themselves.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/oct/15/greenwash-virgin-money-climate-change-isa">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentBusinessBAE SystemsVirgin GroupMoneyOilClimate changeArms tradeUK newsRio TintoMiningMiningFossil fuelsEthical and green livingEthical businessInvestment fundsInvestingInvestmentsEthical moneyIsasSir Richard BransonInvestment IsasThu, 15 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/oct/15/greenwash-virgin-money-climate-change-isaPhotograph: Adrian Dennis/AFPVirgin Money – Richard Branson's climate change fund invests in oil and arms. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/GettyPhotograph: Adrian Dennis/AFPVirgin Money – Richard Branson's climate change fund invests in oil and arms. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/GettyFred Pearce2009-10-15T06:00:00ZGreenwash: easyJet's carbon claims written on the windhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/23/easyjet-climate-change-claims
EasyJet says its flights have a smaller carbon footprint than a Toyota Prius hybrid car. Let's do the maths…<p>You probably weren't watching BBC3 at 4am on Monday morning. Not if you had a job to go to in the morning, anyhow. So you probably missed a nice little programme called <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00lnd13/Mischief_Series_4_Britains_Embarrassing_Emissions/" title="Britain's Embarrassing Emissions">Britain's Embarrassing Emissions</a>.</p><p>It door-stepped the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2009/jan/14/george-monbiot-andy-harrison" title="budget airline Easyjet">budget airline easyJet</a> about claims on the company's website that it is greener than a hybrid car. Or, more particularly, that its emissions were less than those of a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/feb/29/energyefficiency.greentech?gusrc=rss&amp;feed=networkfront" title="Toyota Prius">Toyota Prius</a>. It's greenwash, of course. As, I discovered, are several of its other environmental claims.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/23/easyjet-climate-change-claims">Continue reading...</a>Airline industryTravelGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon offsettingCarbon footprintsClimate changeClimate changeeasyJetThu, 23 Jul 2009 07:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jul/23/easyjet-climate-change-claimsPhotograph: Philippe Hays / Rex FeaturesEasyJet claims its flights have smaller carbon footprints than a Toyota Prius. Photograph: Philippe Hays/Rex FeaturesPhotograph: Philippe Hays / Rex FeaturesEasyJet claims its flights have smaller carbon footprints than a Toyota Prius. Photograph: Philippe Hays/Rex FeaturesFred Pearce2009-07-23T07:00:01ZGreenwash: Fujitsu's 'wind-powered' laptop is powered by the most expensive green energy in the world, writes Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/30/greenwash-fujitsu-wind-powered-laptop
Fujitsu promises to buy 'green energy' to offset the emissions from the energy use of each of its new 'wind-powered' laptops. But consumers are being asked to pay an extortionate price for carbon-free guilt<p>Every green should have one – <a href="http://www.fujitsu.com/global/news/pr/archives/month/2009/20090421-01.html" title="">the world's first wind-powered laptop</a>.</p><p>The idea of a little turbine plugged into a socket on the side is intriguing, even if the truth is a bit more prosaic. A lot more prosaic. In fact, to buy this machine you'd have to be green according to the definition preferred by my old dictionary. That is, "gullible". For this is probably the most expensive green power in the world.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/30/greenwash-fujitsu-wind-powered-laptop">Continue reading...</a>Carbon offsettingGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon footprintsEnvironmentGadgetsEnergyClimate changeCorporate social responsibilityRenewable energyWind powerTechnologyThu, 30 Apr 2009 11:45:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/30/greenwash-fujitsu-wind-powered-laptopPhotograph: PRFujitsu Limited has announced the release of the new FMV-BIBLO LOOX U/C50N Eco model. Photograph: PRPhotograph: PRFujitsu Limited has announced the release of the new FMV-BIBLO LOOX U/C50N Eco model. Photograph: PRFred Pearce2009-04-30T11:45:17ZGreenwash: The dream of the first eco-city was built on a fiction, writes Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/23/greenwash-dongtan-ecocity
Dongtan in Shanghai was to be a model for the world by 2010, but after lots of grand promises, the old entrenched ways mean little has happened<p>Three years ago, <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19025561.700-ecocities-special-a-shanghai-surprise.html" title="">I crossed the world to see it: the site for the world's first eco-city</a>. Shanghai, one of the fastest growing megacities on the planet, was setting aside a giant island in the Yangtze river to create an <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/jan/08/china.theobserver" title="">eco-city for half a million people</a>.</p><p>British <a href="http://www.arup.com/newsitem.cfm?pageid=7009" title="">eco-engineers and green-minded architects</a> and town planners were designing the renewably powered, car-free, water-recycling city of Dongtan as a model for the world. And its first 25,000 citizens would be living the good life there in time for the <a href="http://en.expo2010.cn/oe/index.htm" title="">Shanghai World Expo in 2010</a>, at which it would be by far the largest exhibit, reached by a new tunnel and bridge.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/23/greenwash-dongtan-ecocity">Continue reading...</a>Greenhouse gas emissionsClimate changeEcotownsEnergy efficiencyEnergyEnergyRenewable energyPollutionChinaCarbon footprintsConstruction industryEngineeringAsia PacificCitiesThu, 23 Apr 2009 13:59:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/23/greenwash-dongtan-ecocityPhotograph: China Photos/Getty ImagesBuilders work at the construction site of the World Expo Shanghai 2010 on December 31, 2008 in Shanghai, China. No houses have been yet been built in the eco-city Dongtan. Photograph: China Photos/Getty ImagesPhotograph: China Photos/Getty ImagesBuilders work at the construction site of the World Expo Shanghai 2010 on December 31, 2008 in Shanghai, China. No houses have been yet been built in the eco-city Dongtan. Photograph: China Photos/Getty ImagesFred Pearce2009-04-23T13:59:03ZGreenwash: Shell has betrayed its 'new energy future' promises, writes Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/mar/26/fred-pearce-greenwash-shell-exxon
The energy company has sold out on its renewable investments, claiming they are 'not economic'<p><a href="http://www.shell.com/" title="">Shell</a>, I have to report, is the new Exxon. The company that back in December was filling this and other newspapers with double-page adverts promoting its conversion to a "new energy future" of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/windpower" title="">wind farms</a>, hydrogen fuels, fuel made from marine algae and much else, has pulled the plug.</p><p>In the 1990s Royal Dutch Shell set its boffins on finding new green fuels, such as forest plantations to make <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/biofuels" title="">biofuels</a>. I remember them at the Earth Summit in Rio back in 1992. Not long after, Shell was for a time the world's second largest manufacturer of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/solarpower" title="">solar panels</a>. In 2004, it opened the world's largest grid-connected solar park.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/mar/26/fred-pearce-greenwash-shell-exxon">Continue reading...</a>Renewable energyBiofuelsEnvironmentRoyal Dutch ShellEnergyBusinessOil and gas companiesWind powerExxonMobilOilOilClimate changeThu, 26 Mar 2009 10:29:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/mar/26/fred-pearce-greenwash-shell-exxonPhotograph: James Boardman/Public DomainShell has pulled back from its renewable investments, claiming they are 'not economic' Photograph: James Boardman/Public DomainPhotograph: James Boardman/Public DomainShell has pulled back from its renewable investments, claiming they are 'not economic' Photograph: James Boardman/Public DomainFred Pearce2009-03-26T10:29:22ZGreenwash: Fred Pearce on why 'clean coal' is the ultimate climate-change oxymoronhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/26/greenwash-clean-coal
The people who told us for years that climate change was a myth now say it's all true – but something called 'clean coal' can fix it. This is pure and utter greenwash, says Fred Pearce<p>Next week, Americans are being invited to take part in what could become <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/23/network-coal-burning-protest-washington" title="">the largest act of civil disobedience against global warming</a> in the country's history. People are protesting at the coal-fired power plant that powers legislators on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.</p><p>Cynics may say it's about time Americans joined the action. The fact is that too many Americans have been bamboozled for too long by a campaign of disinformation about the science of climate change. Many still think the whole question of mankind's role in global warming is disputed in scientific circles (I expect the comments beneath this blog will soon demonstrate this point).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/26/greenwash-clean-coal">Continue reading...</a>CoalClimate changeCarbon capture and storage (CCS)Environmental activismFossil fuelsEnvironmentEnergyUS newsWorld newsThu, 26 Feb 2009 12:13:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/26/greenwash-clean-coalPhotograph: Robert Nickelsberg/GettyNo clean-coal plant that buries carbon has yet been built. Photograph: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Robert Nickelsberg/GettyNo clean-coal plant that buries carbon has yet been built. Photograph: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesFred Pearce2009-02-26T12:13:22ZGreenwash: Fred Pearce on efforts by Stagecoach to green its bus serviceshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/19/greenwash-bus-travel
Efforts by Stagecoach to green its bus services mean nothing unless it slashes the prices and runs its buses at full capacity<p>Stagecoach is going green – and don't you forget it. Its boss, Brian Souter, may have a reputation for hard-nosed business, but it is now on a quest for <a href="http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/csr/environment/" title="">"smarter, greener bus travel"</a>.</p><p>Last year, the man with 7,000 British buses and thousands more in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal and other North American cities, launched the first <a href="http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/csr/casestudies/cntravel/" title="">carbon-free bus service</a>. It runs from Edinburgh to Fife and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/17/carbonoffsetprojects-carbonemissions" title="">offsets</a> its emissions by planting trees in the Scottish Highlands.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/19/greenwash-bus-travel">Continue reading...</a>Travel and transportCarbon footprintsClimate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsEnvironmentTransportUK newsThu, 19 Feb 2009 10:57:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/19/greenwash-bus-travelPhotograph: David Cheskin/PAStagecoach operates 7,000 British buses and thousands more in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal and other North American cities. Photograph: David Cheskin/PAPhotograph: David Cheskin/PAStagecoach operates 7,000 British buses and thousands more in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal and other North American cities. Photograph: David Cheskin/PAFred Pearce2009-02-19T10:57:25ZGreenwash: Scotland talks dirty when it comes to clean coal, writes Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/05/greenwash-coal-fred-pearce
The Scottish government is talking up the world's dirtiest fossil fuel as clean in its push to revive its coal industry<p>The Scottish government is planning to green its electricity generation by burning more coal. Yes, you read that right. Coal is green, say ministers in Edinburgh, who in December announced a climate policy that they declared to be the world's most advanced.</p><p>And if you can't get your head round that, you are not alone. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/hansen" title="">Nasa's famed climate scientist, Jim Hansen, last week</a> wrote an open letter<a href="http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/In-full-Letter-to-the.4932922.jp" title=""> to the first minister Alex Salmond</a> declaring the policy a "sham".</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/05/greenwash-coal-fred-pearce">Continue reading...</a>Fossil fuelsCarbon capture and storage (CCS)EnergyPollutionClimate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsThu, 05 Feb 2009 10:14:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/feb/05/greenwash-coal-fred-pearcePhotograph: Robert Nickelsberg/GettyScotland has one-tenth of Europe's coal. Photograph: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Robert Nickelsberg/GettyScotland has one-tenth of Europe's coal. Photograph: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesFred Pearce2009-02-05T10:14:02ZGreenwash: Fred Pearce on why the Gulf states' attempted green makeover is beyond ironyhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jan/29/greenwash-gulf-fred-pearce
The attempted green makeover by the Gulf states is beyond irony: with spiralling emissions, desert ski slopes and refrigerated beaches, can they be serious?<p>Last week the crown prince of Abu Dhabi held a big <a href="http://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/" title="">"future energy summit"</a>.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/22/tony-blair-climate-change-agreement" title="">Tony Blair was there</a> wearing his save-the-climate hat, so was the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jan/19/energy-climatechange" title="">Guardian's Terry McAllister</a>.</p><p>Oh, and BP and Shell and Exxon and a host of other big energy companies keen to show their wares for saving planet Earth. But I have bigger fish to fry. The Gulf states themselves.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jan/29/greenwash-gulf-fred-pearce">Continue reading...</a>Greenhouse gas emissionsClimate changeDubaiClimate changeCarbon footprintsEnvironmentDesertsUnited Arab EmiratesThu, 29 Jan 2009 12:38:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2009/jan/29/greenwash-gulf-fred-pearcePhotograph: VICTOR ROMERO/APQueueing for a lift at the Ski Dubai park - 3,000 square metres of artificially frozen snow in the middle of the desert. Photograph: Victor Romero/ReutersPhotograph: VICTOR ROMERO/APQueueing for a lift at the Ski Dubai park - 3,000 square metres of artificially frozen snow in the middle of the desert. Photograph: Victor Romero/ReutersFred Pearce2009-01-29T12:38:58ZGreenwash: Do rail companies truly deserve green plaudits, asks Fred Pearcehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/22/greenwash-train-travel
Rail operators get an easy ride over emissions – but they are often worse emitters than their aviation rivals<p>Travelling by train is the green way to go. In the month when the government seems set on railroading us into a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/heathrow-third-runway" title="">third Heathrow runway</a>, even ministers will agree on that. You can <a href="http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/travelgreener/" title="">"travel greener" with Arriva to Wales</a>. Or hop aboard Eurostar, which claims to <a href="http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/Green_Eurostar.jsp" title="">"generate 10 times less CO2 than flying" to Paris</a>. Or emit "78% less" than flying if you take one of <a href="http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=1027" title="">Virgin's tilting Pendolino trains</a> to Glasgow.</p><p>But is it always true? And do the rail companies deserve the green plaudits they shower on themselves?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/22/greenwash-train-travel">Continue reading...</a>Climate changeGreenhouse gas emissionsCarbon footprintsTravel and transportEnvironmentRail travelVirgin TrainsTravel & leisureTransportUK newsRail transportThu, 22 Jan 2009 12:00:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/22/greenwash-train-travelPhotograph: Christopher ThomondA Virgin Trains service on the Manchester to London line. Photograph: Christopher ThomondPhotograph: Christopher ThomondA Virgin Trains service on the Manchester to London line. Photograph: Christopher ThomondFred Pearce2009-01-22T12:00:35ZFred Pearce on Tesco's bizarre carbon accountancy practiceshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/15/greenwash-tesco
'Carbon intensity' is the new gambit for companies trying to spruce up their green images<p>How can Tesco increase its carbon dioxide emissions by almost 400,000 tonnes, as it did in 2007, and still claim to be <a href="http://www.tescoreports.com/crreview08/climate-env/climate-progress.html" title="">"setting an example" on climate change</a>? Easy. By coming up with a bizarre test to demonstrate its carbon virtue.<br>The latest corporate responsibility report from Britain's biggest retailer admits to an 8.6% increase in its emissions in a single year, but says that it increased its "floor space" by 14%, so actually its carbon intensity "per square foot of net sales area" was down by 4.7%.</p><p>How does it get away with such a formulation? This is not, you will notice, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/carbonemissions" title="">carbon emissions</a> per tonne of groceries sold, or even emissions per pound of our money handed over at the till. Just floor space. Why not "per <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/dec/05/bangladeshi-workers-plight-clothing-retailers" title="">Bangladeshi sweatshop worker</a>" or "per migrant vegetable-picker working in Lincolnshire fields"? It would make about as much sense.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/15/greenwash-tesco">Continue reading...</a>Greenhouse gas emissionsClimate changeCorporate social responsibilityEnvironmentClimate changeTescoBusinessThu, 15 Jan 2009 11:03:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/15/greenwash-tescoPhotograph: Tesco/PRTesco: emissions up 400,000 tonnes in 2007Photograph: Tesco/PRTesco: emissions up 400,000 tonnes in 2007Fred Pearce2009-01-15T11:03:15ZGreenwash: Fred Pearce - treeplanting schemes must be crystal clear on their carbon offsetting sumshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/17/carbonoffsetprojects-carbonemissions
Companies suggesting tree planting as carbon offsets must be crystal clear about their sums if they are to dispel suspicion<p>A couple of weeks ago I got an email from a PR company suggesting I "forget Christmas trees this year" and instead give as a present a "personalised tree" to be planted by schoolchildren in the Scottish highlands "to reduce carbon emissions".</p><p>It sounded good. The bit of the highlands involved is the Alladale estate, which millionaire owner Paul Lister wants to turn back into true ancient landscape, with wolves and elk as well as trees.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/17/carbonoffsetprojects-carbonemissions">Continue reading...</a>Carbon offsettingGreenhouse gas emissionsClimate changeCorporate social responsibilityEnvironmentThu, 18 Dec 2008 10:05:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/17/carbonoffsetprojects-carbonemissionsPhotograph: Peter Essick/GettyJust how much carbon does one tree save? Photograph: GettyPhotograph: Peter Essick/GettyJust how much carbon does one tree save? Photograph: GettyFred Pearce2008-12-18T10:05:01ZGreenwash: Are carbon offsetters taking us for a ride?https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/11/carbonoffsetprojects-climatechange
The carbon offset industry cannot agree on how much to charge for CO2 emissions, nor how much you produce when you fly, writes Fred Pearce<p>Flying somewhere this Christmas, or planning a ski trip? Arguably, given the <a href="http://www.guprod.gnl/environment/carbonoffsetprojects">carbon emissions</a> involved, you just <a href="http://www.guprod.gnl/environment/ethicallivingblog/2008/aug/21/carbonoffsetprojects">shouldn't</a>. </p><p>But if you do, will you offset those flight emissions? Some people fuss that the offset companies are a <a href="http://www.guprod.gnl/environment/2008/sep/12/carbonemissions.carbonoffsetprojects">green con</a>. How do we know the trees we pay for won't die? Are we just subsidising renewable energy projects that were going to happen anyway?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/11/carbonoffsetprojects-climatechange">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentUK newsCarbon offsettingClimate changeAirline industryGreenhouse gas emissionsThu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/11/carbonoffsetprojects-climatechangePhotograph: Lewis Whyld/PAA bmi Airbus plane flying past the moon through a cloudy sky over London in 2006. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PAPhotograph: Lewis Whyld/PAA bmi Airbus plane flying past the moon through a cloudy sky over London in 2006. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PAFred Pearce2008-12-11T12:00:00Z